Maybe you’ve noticed more empty chairs at the office with people calling out sick, or maybe you’re one of them. Pittsburgh-area doctors and pharmacists tell Channel 4 Action News they’re seen a spike in people falling ill, but not from a virus or bug.

“It is because of the ragweed, especially. It's blowing around and people are getting allergic reactions, making them miserable,” said Bettinger.

At pharmacies across Pittsburgh, over-the-counter antihistamines are flying off the shelves. People are turning to Zyrtec and Claritin, as well as to their generic forms.

“Those are good to try, and sometimes using nasal saline washes are good to try as well,” said Dr. Allyson Larkin of UPMC. “If you're having fever, that’s usually a sign of infection. If you’re itchy, that can usually be treated over the counter, but if you have green or yellow mucus, that’s a sign of infection.”

Doctors also recommend that you shower after coming in from outside, to help wash pollen and allergens off of you. Drinking more fluids is also recommended.

3 have you noticed a lot of empty chairs at the office... 3 people calling off? local doctors say their offices are packed...and pharmacists tell us their supplies are flying off the shelves. AS ACTION NEWS REPORTER JACKIE SCHAFER EXPLAINS.. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE UNDER THE WEATHER, BUT THERE'S NO BUG 3 3 AN ANNOYANCE THANK YOU IF YOU'RE SINUSES ARE SUFFERING, YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT 3 AND IT'S GETTING WORSE -- NOW. SO WHAT'S THE 3 DEAL? RAGWEED IS AT A HIGH RIGHT NOW. 3 AND IT'S GROWING ALL AROUND US. MAKING PEOPLE LIKE ROGER BLISS MISERABLE. AND AT 3 PHARMACIES ACROSS PITTSBURGH -- OVER THE COUNTER ANTIHISTAMIES ARE FLYING OFF THE SHELVES. PEOPLE TURNING TO ZYRTEC AND CLARITIN. 3 SO HOW DO YOU KNOW IF WHAT YOU'RE DEALING WITH --CAN BE TREATED WITH THESE... Or if you need something more powerful? 3 3 A recent report from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America-- ranks the WORST places to live if you suffer from fall allergies. Out of 100 cities-- Pittsburgh lands in the 46th spot. Wichita, Kansas ranks WORST for fall allergies. Portland, Oregon is 3 3